Pollock: Revamped Bonnies Face Bradley in Field of 68 Opener Monday

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Pollock: Revamped Bonnies Face Bradley in Field of 68 Opener Monday

The St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team is set to open its season against Bradley in the Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon. This matchup will take place in Rock Hill, South Carolina, following a successful exhibition victory over Alfred.

Exciting Season Ahead for the Bonnies

Under the leadership of Coach Mark Schmidt, the Bonnies showcased their skills with a 61-point win in a recent exhibition. This game allowed the coach to experiment with lineups and assess player capabilities before the competitive season begins.

Key Players and New Faces

For the third consecutive season, St. Bonaventure will feature a nearly entirely new roster. Eleven out of thirteen players will be making their debuts, with only two returning veterans:

Dasonte Bowen, guard (6-2) – Iowa (did not play last season due to injury)
Xander Wedlow, center/forward (6-10) – Detroit University Prep

The roster includes several new faces, notably:

Frank Mitchell, forward (6-8) – Minnesota, Canisius, Humber
Joe Grahovac, forward (6-10) – Fullerton
Cayden Charles, guard (6-3) – North Georgia
Darrell Simmons II, guard (5-11) – Gardner-Webb
Brayden Jackson, guard (6-8) – University at Buffalo
Daniel Egbuniwe, forward (6-7) – Tennessee Tech, Little Rock
Amar’e Marshall, guard (6-4) – Albany, Hofstra

Additionally, the team has welcomed four international players:

Andrew Usasuyi, center (6-9) – Magenta, Italy
Achille Lonati, guard (6-5) – Pavia, Italy
John Ikpotokin, forward (6-7) – Dublin, Ireland
Ilia Ermakov, guard (6-5) – Kursk, Russia

Recent Performance and Looking Ahead

Last season, the Bonnies finished with a record of 22-12 but were eliminated in the first round of the NIT by Kent State. Meanwhile, Bradley posted a strong 28-9 season, reaching the NIT quarterfinals before falling to Chattanooga.

Following their opener against Bradley, St. Bonaventure will play its first home game against Canisius on Saturday. This matchup marks the beginning of a four-game homestand, which includes: